Leg extension



F. NELSON.

LEG EXTENSION.

APPUCATION FILED AUG. 6. 1919.

1,336,480. Patented Apr. 13, 192( UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK NELSON, F JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOCHRISTIAN ESPERSON, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.-

LEG EXTENSION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

Application filed August 6, 1919. Serial No. 315,627.

tain new and useful Improvements in Leg Extensions, of which thefollowing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification.

The invention relates to leg extensions for 'bedsteads, tables and otherarticles of which it is desirable to change the height; and the objectof the improvement is to provide a telescoping extensible legconstruction which normally remains in the non extended position, butwhich may be quickly and easily extended by pressing the foot on aspring step which permits a plurality of pivotally mounted dogs or dropcatches to fall by gravity into an engaging position for the leg end,and holds the same firmly in line until the leg is raised slightly,permitting the dog withdrawing member to draw all the dogs back intotheir normal non-locking position; and the invention consists in thenovel features and combinations hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a bedstead head or footframe showing the leg. extension in the extended supporting position forthe bedstead. Fig. 2 is a lengthwise diametral sectional view of thelower telescoping portion of the leg showing the construction andarrangement of the different parts. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of thelower end of the spring retaining strip for the dogs or catches, showingthe step and hinged end of the crosswise actuating rod; and Fig. i is anelevation of the upper end of the telescoping leg parts and the springactuating strip showing the parts in. position therein.

Like characters of reference refer to corresponding parts in the severalviews.

The numeral designates the tubular leg of a bedstead, table or similararticle on which extensible legs are desirable, within the lower end ofwhich the tubular extension 11 is telescopically mounted.

The extension tube 11 has the caster 12 attached on its lower end andthe dogs or drop catches 13 pivotally mounted 011 cross pins 14 atspaced distances throughout the length of the extension 11. A slottedstrip 15 is attached to a spring 16 at its upper end, which spring issupported on the cross pin 17 in the extension 11 near its upper end.The spring strip 15 has the slots 18 through which the dogs or catches13 are inserted, the slots 18 fitting sufliciently close upon the dogs13 to draw the same upward within the tube 11 when the spring 16 isreleased and permitted to draw the slot-ted strip 15 upward to itsnormal position.

A similar series of slots 19 is provided in the tube 11 opposite theslots 18 in spring strip 15 through which the catches 13 tall by gravitywhen the spring strip 15 is drawn downward sufficiently to cause the twoslots 18 and 19 to register with one another, and also SUiilClGIltlY todraw the extension tube 11 below the lower end 20 of the leg 10 so thatwhen the leg 10 is permitted to move down on to the drop catch 13, saiddrop catch is held by the lower end wall 21 of the slot 19. It isapparent that the leg may be held by any one of the series of catches 13in this position and that all the catches below the supporting catch 13for the leg 10 will be in the dropped or horizontal position as shown inFig. 1.

In order to quickly and easily actuate or move the spring strip 15downward to permit the drop catches 13 to fall outward, a step or smallfoot engaging extension 22 is attached to the lower end 23 of the springstrip 15, which arrangement permits the operator to merely pressdownward on the step or sidewise extension 22 and raise up on the leg 10whereby the catches 13 automatically drop outward as the lower end 20rises above them one by one so that said leg may be extended to anydesired height. The spring strip 15 is preferably provided with seriesoi sidewise bends 24 for each of the slots 18 so that the main centraldraw of the spring strip 15 on the spring 16 centers the tubularextension 11 while the series oi strip portions containing the slots 18is moved suiticiently to one side to operate the drop catches 13 indrawing them up into the nonlocking position.

In order that a nurse may individually raise a heavy or an occupiedbedstead, a rod 25 is preferably hinged at 26 at one end to one of thetreads or sidewise extensions 22 and extends across to the oppositetread or sidewise extension 22, resting on the same so that pressureupon any portion of the rod 25 will move both the spring strips 15downward in each of the extensions 11 of the two legs at the head orfoot of the bedstead and the nurse may lift the bedstead to the desiredheight, the drop catches l3 falling outward on each leg extension 11 asthe legs 10 move upward. When not in use, the rod 25 may be foldedupward out of the way into a spring clasp 27 alongside the leg 10. It isapparent also that the rod 25 might be attached directly to the lowerends 23 of the spring strips 15 to permanently remain in the crosswiseattached position between the tubular extensions 11 for the two legs atone end of the piece of furniture.

It is apparent that the stop 22 might form a stop for the lower end 20of the bed post 10, but as this would cause it to ride upon the spring16, a stop pin 28 which extends beyond the sides of the inner tube 11sufli ciently to receive the lower end 20 is provided, which stop pin 28preferably extends across the tube 11 and out each side sufiiciently tohold the end 20 squarely in position thereon when an extension of theleg 10 is not desired. The cross pin 28 also holds the strip 15 firmlyin line in its upward and downward movements thereby performing a doubleofiice.

It is also obvious that the extension tubes 11 may be inserted in thetubular lower end of any tubular bed post or may be quickly and easilyremoved therefrom as desired and forms a neat and convenient extensionalways ready for use.

I claim as new:

1. A leg extension comprising a tubular leg, a tubular extensionslidably fitting in said tubular leg having a series of vertical spacedslots therein, and a series of similarly spaced drop catches in saidtubular extension to drop out through said spaced slots to support thelower end of said tubular leg at different heights.

2. A leg extension comprising a tubular leg, a tubular extensionslidably fitting within said tubular leg having a vertical seriesof'spaced slots therein, a series of similarly spaced drop catcheshinged in said tubular extension to drop out through said spaced slotsto support the lower end of said tubular leg at difierent heights, andmeans to normally draw said drop catches upward within said tubularextension in individual readiness to drop out through said spaced slotsinto supporting engagement for the lower end of said tubular leg.

8. A leg extension comprising telescoping leg portions, a spring striphaving spaced slots therethrough within said telescoping leg portions,spaced pivotally mounted catches extending through aid slots in saidspring strlp to be drawn upward thereby,

said telescoping extension having similarly when not in use, and asidewise foot engaging extension on the lower end of said strip toprovide downward pressure to permit the exposed catches to drop outwardand engage the lower end of said leg.,

5. A leg extension comprising a tubular leg, a tubular extension fittingin said leg having a series" of spaced slots therein, a similar seriesof spaced catches pivotally mounted within said tubular extension todrop out through said spaced slots, a similarly slotted spring stripengaging said catches to draw them normally upward when not in use, asidewise foot engaging extension on the lower end of said strip toprovide downward pressure to permit said catches to drop outward andsupportingly engage the lower end of said leg, and a crosswise rodconnection between said spring strips in two or more of said tubularextensions to simultaneously actuate the strips in said extensions.

6. A leg extension comprising a tubular leg, a tubular extension fittingin said leg having a series of spaced slots therein, a

similar series of spaced catches pivotally' mounted within said tubularextension to drop out-through said spaced slots, a similarly slottedspring strip engaging said catches to draw them normally upward when notin-use, a sidewise foot engaging extension on the lower end of saidstrip to give the needed downward pressure to permit said catches todrop outward and engage the lower end of said leg, a crosswise rodconnection between said strips in said tubular extension at one end of apiece of furni ture, and a crosswise rod hinged to' one of said footengaging extensions and extending across to the foot extension on theopposite leg to simultaneously actuate said strips and to be foldedupward alongside the leg when desired.

In testimony whereof I have atfixed my signature in the presence-of twowitnesses.

FREDERICK NELSON. Witnesses C. V. SwANsoN, HAROLD FORSBERG.

